Public Works Commission Minutes FEBRUARY 16, 2005

The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m.

1. Roll Call

   Present:	Commissioners DiVirgilio, Marinelli, Winnek
   Also Present:	Richard Morgan, Director of Public Works/City Engineer Michael Flaherty, Public Works Superintendent Rhea Punneo Administrative Assistant, Public Works Department
   Absent:	Commissioners Beste, Lombardo

2. Flag Salute

   Commissioner Winnek led the flag salute.

3. Approval of Minutes

   December Meeting – Approved as amended.

4. Public Comments

   None

5. Correspondence

   None

6. Items for Commission Consideration

   1. Request for Restricted Parking Spaces at 333 Pacific Coast Highway

      Mr. Morgan presented this item, noting that the owners of the business at this location made the request.

      He advised that no comments had been received in response to the hearing notice.

      Public comments and commission discussion included the following:

      • The owners of Hermosa Design Center would like a legal parking area for loading and unloading – could be used by delivery trucks and customers since there is no parking on PCH between 3:00 and 7:00 p.m.
      • Business owners feel real problem on PCH is there is no consistent enforcement of the 2-hour parking limit.
      • Mr. Morgan recommended reducing the number of green spaces in front of Triangle hardware from three spaces to two spaces as was previously approved by the Commission and adding one green space on the south side of 4th Street, just west of PCH.

      MOTION by Commissioner Winnek to approve placement of green parking spots in this area at the discretion of the Director. Seconded by Commissioner DiVirgilio.

      AYES:	DiVirgilio, Marinelli, Winnek
      NAYS:	None
      ABSENT:	Beste, Lombardo
      ABSTAIN:	None

   2. Request for Handicapped Parking at 1521 Monterey Boulevard

      Mr. Morgan presented the item, advising the Commission of the basic criteria of one handicapped parking spot per block and noting that an additional spot wouldn’t be installed without a hearing before the Commission. At this time, while there is a request for a spot before the commission, it is also the time for the annual review of the City’s policy – have a more general discussion of the policy and possibly re- think it.

      Public comments regarding the specific request and corresponding discussion highlights are as follows:

      • Resident of 1521 Monterey Blvd., Marilyn Boussard, explained her request that a handicapped spot be added to her block although another handicapped spot currently exists on this block.
      • She explained that her original request for the spot was in April 2004 but she’d retracted her request saying she hadn’t wanted to be a “bad neighbor.”
      • Neighbors attending the meeting (two) adamantly opposed to the additional handicapped spot in addition to questioning her disability. Also question veracity of other handicapped spot user’s disability. They presented list of signatures (eight total) opposed to additional spot.
      • The commissioners present determined that they would stick to the current issue this evening and discuss the policy once the full membership was in attendance.
      • Vehicles parking at the blue curb spots must either have the hanging placard or a handicapped symbol on the license plate. Parking Enforcement can be called to ticket violators.
      • It was suggested that Ms. Boussard use the existing spot when not in use by other resident – any vehicle with the proper identification may use these spots.
      • Commissioners are not qualified to judge a person’s physical health.

      MOTION by Commissioner Winnek approving the handicapped spot in the vicinity of 1521 Monterey after proper staff review pursuant to policy. Not seconded; motion died.

      MOTION by Commissioner Marinelli to keep the status quo. Seconded by Commissioner DiVirgilio.

      AYES:	DiVirgilio, Marinelli
      NAYS:	Winnek
      ABSENT:	Beste, Lombardo
      ABSTAIN:	None

      Motion carried.

      Commissioner Winnek advised Ms. Boussard that her next step would be to appeal to the Commission’s decision to the City Council.

      Further discussion noted the following:

      • Staff will continue to review these spaces on a two-year basis
      • Notices to applicants should include information from the Municipal Code noting penalty and revocation of their space. It is prudent to stick with one space per block.

   3. Request to Restrict Parking on the South Side of the 700 Block of Pier Avenue

      Mr. Morgan presented the item noting that it included replacing the red curb in front of the former White & Day Mortuary on the south side of Pier Avenue east of Sunset Drive with one metered parking space and one 15-minute green parking space.

      Mr. Morgan presented the item, noting the request is from the Community Resources Director, Lisa Lynn. There is quite a bit of long-term parking in front of the Community Center.

      Discussion highlighted the following:

      • The Community Resources Director requested the six-hour limit.
      • No one came forward to oppose the request.
      • Vehicles being parked there may be from local businesses.
      • Many vehicles to be sold are parked for extended periods of time.

      MOTION by Commissioner Marinelli to approve the request for six hour parking; seconded by Commissioner DiVirgilio.

      AYES:	DiVirgilio, Marinelli, Winnek
      NAYS:	None
      ABSENT:	Beste, Lombardo
      ABSTAIN:	None

7. Commissioners' Reports

   Discussion of the signage sub-committee highlighted the following:

   The sub-committee for signage lost a member and Commissioner Marinelli volunteered to join Commissioner Winnek on the sub-committee. The project is still alive and could become much more so if funding could be found for the new marquee. The new equipment could run as much as $200,000.

8. Public Works Department Reports

   Reports will be received and filed.

9. Items Requested by Commissioners

10. Other Matters

    Mr. Flaherty announced that Council had approved the manhole repair project, noting the development of “City of Hermosa Beach” manhole covers with the City seal.

    Council approved the project for the improvement of 20th Street and bids will be opened March 10, 2005.

    Commissioner Marinelli requested that the March meeting be pushed back to the twenty- third, which was supported by the other commissioners.

    Commissioner DiVirgilio asked about marking parking spaces – wouldn’t this be better than leaving drivers to make their own? Specifically, he asked about the work being done on 2nd Street. Mr. Morgan and Mr. Flaherty responded, noting that sometimes striping can actually reduce the number of parking stalls. It was also noted that striping can help between driveways.

11. Public Comment

    None

12. Adjournment

    At 8:43 p.m. Commissioner Winnek adjourned to the meeting of March 23, 2005.

CERTIFICATION

I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and complete record of the action taken by the Public Works Commission of Hermosa Beach at the regularly scheduled meeting of February 16, 2005.